Laser processing system with modified beam energy distribution

A laser material processing system, comprising:

• multiple laser sources configured to produce corresponding laser beams each with a substantially Gaussian beam distribution;
• a beam combiner configured to combine the laser beams into a combined laser beam;
• combined beam positioning optics;
• at least one combined beam modifier operably coupled to the combined beam positioning optics, wherein the combined beam modifier is configured to controllably modify an energy distribution of the combined laser beam for processing a material;
• a combined beam separator operably coupled to the combined beam modifier, wherein the combined beam separator is configured to modulate at least one laser beam of the combined laser beam;
• and
• focusing optics positioned to concentrate energy of the combined laser beams on or in a close proximity to the surface of the material while being processed.